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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZHOT CHOCOLATEPop group formed '69 in London by vocalist and songwriter Errol Brown (b 11 Decmber 1943, Kingston, Jamaica; d 6 May 2015, Bahamas) and bassist Tony Wilson, from Trinidad. Brown came to England at age ten to be with his mother and ended up an English public schoolboy; became a civil servant and turned to songwriting, getting his first breaks writing for the Beatles' label Apple: he wrote 'Think About Your Children' for Mary Hopkin, 'Heaven Is Here' for Julie Felix, 'Bet Your Life I Do' for Herman's Hermits; an Apple secretary suggested Hot Chocolate's name and their own first single was a reggaed version of Lennon's 'Give Peace A Chance'. They left Apple (then disintegrating fast) for RAK, where Mickie Most took them under his producer's wing: a dynamic ballad 'Love Is Life' '70 was no. 6 and set the pattern; Brown's velvety voice allied to percussive pop with sparkle was Most's golden touch. They concentrated on singles released sparingly, refusing to be rushed into live performance or an album. The first seven releases alternated big and small hits; 'I Believe In Love' '71 and 'Brother Louie' '73 were top ten, the latter a poignant tale of mixed-race romance akin to Temptations/Marvin Gaye social consciousness; it went to no. 1 USA when covered by the Stories, paving way for Chocolate's own six USA top 40 hits '75--8. UK tour '73 saw interracial lineup: Patrick Oliver (b Grenada), congas; Larry Ferguson (b Nassau), keyboards; Harvey Hinsley (b Mitcham, south London; ex-Outlaws, Cliff Bennett's Rebel Rousers), guitar; Tony Connor (b Romford; ex-Audience; replaced original drummer Ian King). First LP Cicero Park '74 broadened scope of lyrics in title track to include ecology. Single hits incl. 'Emma' '74, 'Disco Queen' and 'You Sexy Thing' '75 (about Ginette, Brown's wife-to-be): all dancefloor hits with radio appeal, Brown's unmistakable vocals topping off pop confection. With a shaved head for striking visual effect, he became Hot Chocolate; co-writer Wilson left for solo career (without much luck, on Bearsville label; Curtis Mayfield-influenced albums I Like Your Style '76, Catch One '79); Patrick Oliver took over on bass. A shortfall of originals that followed was helped by astute selection from outside: Russ Ballard's 'So You Win Again' was their first no. 1 (USA no. 31) '77, while 'I'll Put You Back Together Again' (from mawkish musical Dear Anyone) no. 13 '78. Final USA hit with 'Every 1's A Winner' '78 (UK no. 12; later adapted as radio jingle). The hits faltered '79-81, four of six missing top 40; Brown went to Los Angeles for a month to recharge batteries, came back with 'It Started With A Kiss', no. 5 '82. Brown's solo album That's How Love Is flopped '87 (nobody knew who he was outside the group); Secret Rendezvous was another; he lived off royalties from classic hits, working when he felt like it, Ferguson remaining a close friend. 'You Sexy Thing' was used in film The Full Monty '97, reviving memories of 25 UK top 40 hits '70--84: good songs, classy voice and classy production. |